Name: Elegant Poached Pears in Red Wine Vinaigrette
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 55 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 6 medium Bosc pears, peeled with stems intact; 1 cup dry white wine; 2 cups water; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 0.5 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise; 2 whole star anise pods; 1 small cinnamon stick; 1 lemon, zested; 1 orange, zested; 0.25 cup walnut oil; 0.25 cup high-quality red wine vinegar; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Delicate Bosc pears gently poached in aromatic white wine and spices, then drizzled with a vibrant red wine vinaigrette. A sophisticated dessert that's both comforting and elegant.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Prepare the Pears: Trim the bottoms of the pears slightly to allow them to stand upright. Arrange them in a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Poach the Pears: Pour the white wine and water into the pot. Sprinkle with sugar. Add the vanilla bean, star anise, cinnamon stick, and lemon and orange zests. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and poach for 20-25 minutes, or until the pears are tender but still hold their shape. (25 minutes)

03

Step

Cool and Infuse: Remove the pot from the heat and allow the pears to cool completely in the poaching liquid. This allows them to further infuse with the flavors. (1 hour)

04

Step

Reserve and Chill: Reserve 1/4 cup of the poaching liquid. Gently transfer the pears to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. (15 minutes)

05

Step

Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a blender or food processor, combine two of the poached pears and puree until smooth. Transfer the puree to a bowl.

06

Step

Emulsify the Vinaigrette: Whisk in the walnut oil, red wine vinegar, and the reserved poaching liquid until well combined. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. (5 minutes)

07

Step

Chill the Vinaigrette: Cover the vinaigrette and refrigerate until ready to serve. (30 minutes)

08

Step

Assemble and Serve: Place the chilled poached pears in individual serving bowls. Drizzle generously with the red wine vinaigrette. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, if desired. (5 minutes)

Choose ripe but firm Bosc pears for best results. They hold their shape well during poaching.
Use a good quality red wine vinegar for the vinaigrette, as its flavor will shine through.
For a richer vinaigrette, you can add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to balance the acidity.
The poached pears can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
If you don't have walnut oil, olive oil can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different.